Although it can be assumed that the longphorts. A longphort at Dublin from which Leinster and the lands of the Ui Nill were plundered, kingdoms and churches, as far as Slieve Bloom. The Longphort now known as Dublin existed for more than 60 years and lay in a Scandinavian occupied area, but in AD 902 the Vikings were driven out of the area for a while. longphuirt) is a term used in Ireland for a Viking ship enclosure or shore fortress. The first and most famous Longphort mentioned in the Irish annals was An Dubh Linn (Dublin), located in the area of bog known as " the black pool" on the south bank of the river Liffey, possibly near its confluence with the river Camac and close to the site of the early Scandinavian style cemeteries at Islandbridge and Kilmainham.įinds of houses, warrior graves, swords and coins show that the camp was an important Scandinavian base. Finds of silver, balance weights and coins show that some Longphorts developed into actual settlements with trade. A few Longphorts only existed for a single winter, others lasted for more than 60 years. 'The recent reinterpretation of the Knoxspark site as a Viking longphort will have farreaching implications for our understanding of this and later periods in County Sligo,' Mr. 79, 2008, pp 282-295 Copyright 2008 Printed in Denmark All rights reserved ACTA ARCHAEOLOGICA ISSN 0065-101X The Longphort in Viking Age Ireland John Sheehan.